Ore concentrator



Maj 27, i930. R, c, IFEHELY ET AL 4 1,760,590

ORE CONGENTRATOR Filed April 20, 1927 2 Sheets-Smet 1 )mdp/v c. fake z cg/wzawd FS'Z'averI/sow May 27,1930. R. c. AFEHELY Er AL ORE CONCENTRA'IICR Filed April 20, -1927 2 SheetsSheet 2 5mimmllimlnumin latented May 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE RALPH C. FEBELY AND RAYMOND F. STEVENSON, F JACKSONVILLE, OREGON;n SAID STEVENSON ASSIGNOR TO SAID FEHECLY ORE coNoENTRAToR Application led April 2Q,

This invention relates to placer mining and more particularly to the means whereby the precious metals are separated from the mineral bearing mediumn such as sand, gravel and the like.

The invention has for its primary object to loosen and agitate the mineral bearing medium during its travel whereby to facilitate the separation therefrom of the coveted mineral.

In accordance with the invention the material, such as sand, an'd gravel containing the mineral is caused to travel over a table, pan or other surface, at the same time subjecting it to a plurality of jets of water, steam or air, which agitat'es and loosens the material and assists in a rapid and thorough separation of the mineral therefrom.

The invention furthermore aims to effect separation of the mineral by passing it over a plurality of pockets containing mercury, and atV the same time, subjecting the material to oppositely projected jetsthrown upwardly and downwardly, the upwardly projected jets loosening and agitating the material whereas the downwardly projected jets force the precious metals into the mercury containing cups, thereby assuring contact of the precious metal with the mercury and a resultant amalgamation.

further purpose of the invention is the provision of means for removing magnetic material from the ore bearing medium pre liminary to the amalgamating process for separation of gold and silver.

While the drawings illustrate a preferred l embodiment of the invention it is to be understood that in adapting the means to meet specific needs and requirements, the design may be varied and such other changes 1n the minor details of construction may be resorted to within the scope of the invention as claimed7 without departing from the spirit thereof.

For a full understanding of the invention and the merits thereof, reference is to be had to the following description and the drawings hereto attached, in which,-

Figure lis a top plan view of an ore separator embodying the invention.

1927. Serial N'o. 185,313.

Figure 2 is a side View of the apparatus. Figure 3 is a vertical, central, longitudinal sectional view of the apparatus on the line 3-3 of Figure l. -A

Figure 4 is an enlarged detail sectional view on the line 4 4 of Figure 1.

Corresponding and like parts are referred to in the following description andldesignated 1n the several views of the drawings by like reference characters.

The numerals 1 and 2 designate pans, tables, or other like surfaces over which ore bearing material is caused to travel in placer mining. As shown, the pan 1 is disposed in a higher plane than the pan 2 and discharges its contents'into the latter. The level of the material 1n the pan 1 may be regulated by `means of plugs 3, which close openings disbearing medium and through the same to effect a loosening and an agitation thereof. The pipes 4 are connected at one-end to a supply pipe 5, located at one side of the pan, or separating table.

A plurality Lof perforated pipes 6 extend over the bottom of the pan 2 and have the perforations facing upwardly to throw the jets across and through the material passing over the pan or separating surface. The perforated ipes 6 are connected at one end to a supply plpe 7. Other perforated pipes 8 are located above theV bottom of the pan 2 and opposite the spaces formed between the perforated pipes 6. rl`he perforations in the pipe 8 face downwardly, whereby to project the jets towards the separating surface, or in an opposite direction to the jets issuing from the perforated pipes 6. The perforated pipes 8 are connected at one end to a supply pipe 9. The pipes 7 and 9 are located at the same side of the concentrator as the supply pipe 5 and the several pipes are connected with one another and with a source of supply not shown, of water, steam, or air, under pressure, to-insure formation 'of the jets in the manner and for the purpose stated.

A plurality of blocks are placed upon the bottom of the pan 2 forming the sep arating surface and are disposed between the erforated ipes 6 and in the plane thereo as indicated most clearly in Figure 3. The blocks 10 have a plurality of pockets. 11 formed in their upper surface for the reception of mercury, whereby to separate the precious metal from the ore by the well known process of amalgamation. As the sand, gravel, or other mineral bearing medium passes over the separating surface 2 it is loosened and agitated by the upwardly projected jets issuing from the perforated pipes Gand at the same time it is subjected to the downwardly projected jets issuing from the perforatedv plpes 8, with the result that any precious metal, such as gold or silver, contained therein, is separated by amalgamating with the mercury contained in the cups 11. The cups or pockets 11 may be formed in the blocks 10 in any manner, and in the preferable arrangement the blocks 10 consist of hard wood and the pockets 11 are formed by boring openings therein. i

Magnetic material contained in the sand,

or other medium is removed therefrom in its passage over the pan, or separatin surface 1. For this purpose a plurality o electromagnets are arranged to travel over the pan 1 and are energized in their travel over the anM to attract the magnetic material and ome deenergized when clearing the pan to automatically discharge the magnetic material separated from the ore bearin medum. The electromagnet includes so t iron bars 13 which radiate from a hub 14 and upon the inner ends of which are mounted helices or coils 15, through which an electric current is caused to circulate to effect magnetization of the cores or bars 13 in a manner well understood. This magnetic separator is mounted upon the upper end of a shaft 16 to which rotary movement is imparted from a suitable source by means of a shaft 17 and gearing 18. One terminal of each of the coils is connected to a brush 19 and the other terminal is connected to the hub 14 or other suitable conductor. The numeral 20 desi ates a segment contacty with whichl the brus es 19 successively engage. One lead from a suitable source of current supply is connected to the segment contact 20 and the other lead is connected to the hub 14 or like part, as indicated most clearly in' Figure 4. A brush 21 frictionally engages the hub 14 or like part, thereby admitting of rotation of the magneticv separator.

In the operation of the separator the electromagnets pass over the table 1 and attract lthe magnetic material from the ore bearing medium. The electromagnets are successively energized by the closing of the circuit when the electromagnetsv reach a position just prior to their passage over the separat- 1ng pan or table. The electromagnets remain energized during their travel over the separating pan or table, and after clearing the same the current is broken and the electromagnets become deenergized and drop the load previously attracted. So long as the brushes 19 engage the contacts 20 the circuit is closed through certain coils 15, with the result that the cores or bars 13 are magnetized. This takes place when the electromagnets arepassing over the separating pan or table 1, and after clearing the same the brushes 19 clear the contacts 20, thereby breaking the circuit, with the result that the electromagnets become deenergized and discharge the material attracted thereby.

Having thus described the invention, we claim:

In an ore concentrator, a an, blocks supported upon the bottom of) said pan and having mercury receiving pockets in their upper faces, lower pipes extending across the bottom of said pan between said blocks and having their upper portions perforated, upper pipes extending across said pan above the blocks in staggered relation to the lower pipes and having their lower portions per. forated, and means for supplying fluid to the upper and lower pipes.

In testimony whereof we aix our signatures.

RALPH C. FEHELY. [1.. s.] RAYMOND F. STEVENSON. [L s.]

through the coils 15. This takes placev 

